Purse or bag frame



No. 621,452. Patented Mar. 2|, |899. A. F. FULLER.

PURSE 0R BAG FRAME.

(Application filed Oct. 27, 1898.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES: INVENTORI a @a ALBERT F. FULLER, ZH-a A BY Mic mz mums grans co.. morauwu. wAsnmn'roN. n. c.

UNTTBD STATES PATENT Orricn.

ALBERTF. FULLER, OIF IRVINGTON, JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE J. E.

- MERGOTT COMPANY, 'OF NEW JERSEY.

PURSE 'OR BAG FRAME.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 621,452, dated March 21, 1899.

Application filed October 2 7 1 898.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT F. FULLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Irvington, inthe county of Essex and State of'New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Purse or Bag Frames; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as4 will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which forma part of this specification.

The present invention 'has reference to improvements in metallic frames for pocketbooks, satchels, purses, and the like; and the invention relates more especially to a novel construction of locking or holding catch connected with the frame-sections thereof.

The main purpose of this invention is -to provide a pocket-book, purse, or other frame and its latch or catch which shall be neat in appearance and shall be of a simple, strong', and durable construction, with a View of furnishing a bag or purse frame having a novel construction of spring-actuated holding catch or latch which can be easily manipulated and is not liable to breakage or disarrangement of its parts.

The invention therefore consists in the novel contruction of bag or purse frame and its holding-catch, as well as in the several novel arrangements and combinations of the parts thereof, all of which will be described in detail in the accompanying specification and finally embodied in the clauses of the claim.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings,A in which- Figure l is a front view of a purse or bag frame and holding or locking catch embodying the principles of this invention; and Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the same, taken on linex in said Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a bottom View of the bag or purse frame and its holding or locking catch, the hinged or pivoted framesections being represented in a partly-open relation to each other. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of a portion of an edge or bead strip to be secured to one of the frame-sections and the Serial No. 694.661. (No model.)

holding or locking catch pivotally and operatively connected therewith, and Fig. 5 is a similar view of the catch detached from the said edge or bead strip. Fig. G is an end View of the catch illustrated in said Fig. 5. Fig. 7 shows perspective views of the several parts of the holding or locking catch and a portion of the said edge or bead strip; and Fig. 8 is a cross-section, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 'y in Fig. L1 and looking in the direction ot' the arrowy' in said figure.

Similar letters of reference are employed in all of the above-described views to indicate corresponding parts.

In said drawings,ct and o. indicate the usual pair of frame-sections, which are pivotally secured at their lower end portions a2 by means of suitable pins or rivets l), or they may be pivotally connected with each other in any other well-known manner. Said framesections a and a are respectively provided with inwardly-extending sides a3 and a4, as will be noticed from Figs. l, 2, and 3. One of said frame-sections, as a, is provided in its outer edge with suitable holes or perforations a5, through which are passed certain holding or clamping prongs or lugs c of an ornamental edge or bead strip c, said prongs or lugs being adapted to be closed down upon the inner surfaces of said frame-section a to securely hold 'said edge or bead strip directly over the joint formed by the two frame-sections ca and a of the bag or purse frame when closed. Said edge or bead strip c has its end portions bent down to conform to the general outline of the frame-sections, and the free ends c2 thereof are perforated and are secured in position by the pins or rivets b vhereinabove mentioned and as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. As illustrated more especially in Figs. 4 and 7, said edge or bead strip c is formed with a pair of end portions c3,

which are preferably n-shaped or bead-likein cross-section and extend from the opposite ends of a iiat or band-like part c4 ofthe said edge or bead strip, whereby a centrally-disposed open space is formed in which I have operatively arranged the holding or locking catch in the manner to be hereinafter described more in detail. The said flat or band- ICQ like part c4 ofthe edge or bead strip c has a pair of forwardly-extending lugs c5, each of which is provided with a projection c, extending ataright angle from the lug, or approximately so, said projections forming suitable stops, for the purposes hereinafter explained. Each bead-like portion c3 is also provided at the inner edge, near said fiat or band-like part c4, with a suitable ear or lug c7, which lugs or ears c7 are bent inwardly toward the said [iat or bank-like part, and thereby form suitable bearings or supports cs, substantially as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7, for my novel construction of pivotally-arranged and spring-actuated holding or locking catch in the said central open space above mentioned. Said catch or holding device consists, essentially, of an outer shell or plate d, provided at the rear with a downwardly-extending shouldcr d and two or more clamping-lips (Z2 on said shoulder and a pair of cut-away parts 13, as illustrated in said Fig. 7. The forward part of said shell or plate d is formed with a downwardly and backwardly bent part (Z4,which latter part,with said clam ping-lips d2, maybe firmly forced down upon a second plate c to secure the same against the underside of thc plate or shell d. Said plate chas a curved and longitudinally-arranged part c/and a shoulder c2 extending at a right angle, or approximately so, therefrom and is provided with a pair of cut-away parts c3, which correspond in position to the positions of the cut-away parts (Z3 in the shoulderd of the shell or plate d. Thus it will be seen from an inspection of the several figures of the drawings that a longitudinal bearing is provided at the back of the'eomplete catch for a spring f. Said spring has a centrally-arranged U -shaped portion f', which rests upon the flat surface of the shell or plate dand within a chainbered part c4 in the plate e to prevent the turning of the spring between said plates d and c and to provide for a twist or torsional action of the spring when the catch is operated. Said springfhas its ends f2 extending from the opposite edges of said plates,

and said ends of the spring are bent at right angles, as at f3, or approximately so. The said locking or holding catch thus produced is pivotally and operatively connected with the said edge or bead strip c by having the endsf2 of the springf and said right-angled portions f3, connected therewith, loosely and operatively arranged in the bearings or supports c8 of the edge or bead strip hereinabove mentioned,with the parts f 3.of said sp1-in gpressin g tightly against the inner surfaces clq of the bead-like portions c3, substantially as illustrated in Fig. Lt. Then the catch has in this manner been arranged in position, the forwardly-extending lugs c5 will have become placed in the cut-away parts Z3 and e3 of the respective plates d and c, with the under surface of the plate c resting upon said lugs c5 and the back of the shoulder CZ resting against the inner surface of the ilat or band-like part c4 of the edge or bead strip c, as illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 8. In this manner the movable catch will be retained in proper locking or holding position and its upper surface will be in perfect alinement with the upper edges of the edge or bead strip c, as shown in Fig. 1.

When the catch is raised, the inner portions d5 of the shoulder d of the plate d will be brought against the stops cG of the lugs c5 of the edge or bead strip c, which limits the upward movement of said catch and distorts the arrangement of the spring f sufficiently, so that when the operator releases his or her hand from the catch the spring f will again cause the said catch to return to its normalposition, with the shoulder d again pressing against the inner surface of the flat or bandlike part c4 of the edge or bead strip c. The holding or lookin g operation of the catch thus operatively connected with the f rame-section c is caused by snapping or forcing the usual form of projection t G over a similar projection a upon the frame-section a' in the wellknown manner and as clearly indicated in Figs. l and S.

The many advantages of my novel form of pocket-book orpurse frame and catch are evident from the above description, the construction ofthe several parts being simple, cheap, and neat, and a strong and durable frame is the result. n

I am aware that changes may be made in the several arrangements and combinations of the various parts as well as in the details of the construction thereof without departing from the scope of my present invention. Hence I do not limit my invention to the eX- act arrangements and combinations of thc parts as herein shown and described, nor to the exact details of the construction thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- I. In a bag orpurse frame, the combination, with a pair of frame-sections pivotally connected at their free ends, of an edge or bead strip connected with one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting dat or bandlike portion, bearings at the innerends of said bead-like portions, and a spring-actuated catch pivotally connected with said bearings and in normal retaining contact with said iiat or band-like portion of the said edge or bead strip, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In a bag or purse frame, the combination, with a pair of frame-sections pivotally connected at their free ends, of an edge or bead strip connected with one of 4said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting ilat or bandlike portion, inwardly-bent ears or lugs at the inner ends of said bead-like portions forming bearings, and a spring-actuated catch pivotally connected with said bearings land in nor- IOO IlO

mal retaining contact With said fiat or bandlike portion of'said edge or bead strip, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a bag orpurse frame, thecombination, with a pair of frame-sections pivotally connected at their free ends,'of an edge or bead nected at their free ends, of an edge or beadstrip connected with one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting flat or bandlike portion, bearings at the inner ends of said bead-like portions, a spring-actuated catch pivotally connected with said bearings, a downwardly-extendin g shoulder at the back of said catch in normal retaining contact with said iiat or band-likeportion of said edge or bead strip, and means on said edge or bead strip adapted to be engaged by said catch to limit the upward movement thereof when raised, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. In a bag or purse frame, the combination, with a pair of frame-sections pivotally connected at their free ends, of an edge or bead strip connected with one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting Hat Vor bandlike portion, bearings at the inner end s of said bead like portions, a spring-actuated catch pivotally connected with said bearings, a doWnWardly-extendin gshoulder at the back of said catch'in normal retaining contact With said flat or band-like portion of said edge or bead strip, and means on said edge or bead strip adapted to be engaged by said catch to limit the upward movement thereof When raised, consisting, essentially, of lugs c5 and stops on said lugs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

6. In a bag orpurse frame, the combination, with a pair of framesections pivotally connected at their free ends, of an edge or bead strip connected With one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting flat or band-like portion, inwardly-bent ears or lugs at the inner ends of said bead-like portions forming bearings, a spring-actuated catch pivotally connected with said bearings, and a downward] y-eXtendin g shoulder at the back of said catch in normal holding contact With said fiat or band-like portion of said edge orbead strip, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a bag or purse frame,the combination, with a pair of frame-sections pivotally connect'ed at their free ends, of an edgeor bead strip connected with one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting flat or band-like portion, inwardly-bent ears or lugs at the inner ends of said bead-like portions forming bearings, a spring-actuated catch pivotally connected with said bearings, a down Wardly-extending shoulder at the back of said catch in normal retaining lcontact with said flat or band-like portion of said edge or bead strip, and means on said edge or bead strip adapted to be engaged by said catch to -limit the upward movement thereof When raised, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

S. In a bag or purse frame,the combination with a pair of frame-sections pivotally connected at their free ends, of an edge or bead strip connected With one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting dat or band-like portion, inwardly-bent ears or lugs at the inner ends `of said bead-like portions forming bearings, a spring-actuated catch pivotally connected with said bearings, a downwardly-extending shoulder at the back of said catch in normal retaining con tact with said flat. or band-like portion of said edge or bead strip, and means on said edge or bead strip adapted to be engaged by said catch to limit the upward movement thereof when raised, consisting, essentially, of lugs c5 and stops on said lugs, substantially vas and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a bag or purse frame,the combination, with a pair of hingedframe-sections, of a holding or locking catch connected With one of said frame-sections and to engagethe other frame-section, consisting, essentially, ofv a plate el having a holding portion d4, a shoulder d' and clamping-lips cl2, a plate e secured between lsaid portion d4 and lips cl2, a bearing portion e' and shoulder e2 on said plate e, and a spring between said plates, having projecting ends and portions f3 bent at right angles, or approximately so, an edge or bead strip on one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting flat or band-like portion, and bearings at the inner ends of said bead-like portions in Which the projecting ends of, said spring are arranged, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. l

l0. In a bag or purse frame, the combination,With a pair of hinged frame-sections, of a holding or locking catch connected With one of said frame-sections and to engage the other frame-section, consisting, essentially, of a plate d having a holding portion d4, a shoulder d and clamping-lips cl2, a plate c secured IOO IIO

between said portion d4 and lips d2, a bearing portion e' and shoulder e2 on said plate e, and a spring between said plates, having projecting ends and portions f3 bent at right angles,

or approximately so, an edge or bead strip on one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting flat or band-like portion, and inwardlybent lugs c7 at the inner ends of said bead -like portions forming bearings a8 in which the projecting ends of said spring are arranged, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ll. In a bag or purse frame, the combination, with a pair of hinged frame-seetions,of a locking or holding catch adapted to engage one of said frame-sections, consisting, essentially, of a plate d having a holding portion (Z4, a shoulder d', clamping-lips d2 on said shoulder, Vand cut-away parts also in said shoulder, a plate e secured between said portion d4 and lips d2, a bearing portion e and shoulder e2 on said plate e, cut-away parts c3 in said shoulder e2, a spring between said plates, having projecting ends and portions'f3 bent at right angles, or approximately so, an edge or bead strip on one of said frame-seotions, said strip having beadlike portions and a centrally-arranged connecting dat or band-like portion, bearings at the inner ends of said bead-like portions in which the projecting ends of said spring are arranged, and means on said edge or bead strip adapted to be engaged by said catch to limit the upward movement thereof when raised, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12.` In a bag or purse frame, the combination, with a pair of hinged frame-sections, of a locking or holding catch adapted to engage one of said frame-sections, consisting, essentially, of a plate d having a holding portion d4, a shoulder d', clamping-lips d2 on said shoulder, and cut-away portions also in said shoulder, a plate e secured between said portion d4 and lips d2, a bearing portion e' and shoulder e2 on said plate e, eut-away parts e3 in said shoulder e2, a spring between said plates, having proj eeting ends and portions f3 bent at right angles, or approximately so, an edge or bead strip on one of said frame-sections, said strip having bead-like portions and a centrally-arranged connecting at or band-like portion, bearings at the inner ends of said bead-like portions in which the projecting ends of said spring are arranged, and means on said edge or bead strip adapted to be engaged by said catch to limit the upward movement thereof when raised, consisting, of lugs c5 extending into said cut-away parts in the shoulders of said plates d and e, and stops c on said lugs c5, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony that I claim the invention set forth above I have hereunto set my hand this 22d day of October, 1898.

ALBERT F. FULLER.

Vitnesses:

J. E. MERGOTT, FREDK. C. FRAENTZEL. 

